REALTORS, LISTEN TO YOUR GUT INSTINCT WHEN SHOWING PROPERTY!

You are SO right! I listened to my gut a couple of weeks ago and it could have saved my life. Man would not provide me with callback number. Told him I HAD to call him back to confirm the showing was approved by the seller. When I called the hotel there was no such guest and no such room number.

This is so true and we know many agents that are not as careful as they should be. Thanks for sharing this with everyone you may have saved a life.

Patty & Scott Carroll - RE/MAX Equity Group Vancouver WA

Mary, I agree with you 100%.  I've had people that I purposefully insulted because I was sure they were trouble and wanted them to go away!  It's not worth it and if you feel the least bit uneasy, I agree, listen to your instincts!  Good post!

Good post we need to keep this topic fresh in everyones mind because we tend to get so used to meeting with people we don't know that we might get caught off gaurd.

Good tip about not getting your car blocked in I hadn't really thought of that.

I did make sure one time when I was showing property and I felt uneasy that I kept the client in front of me at all times, I did not want him behind me where I couldn't see what he was doing.

Jennifer

Thank you for this post.  I do the same thing after hours.  If I do not know ther person and they want me to meet them somewhere I bring someone with!

Being a 6'4" man in Hawaii I do not worry about this as much, but still try to use common sense.

You make good points for safety, Mary.  Good post.

Vickie,

That man was up to no good!  I just hope he didn't call another agent!  We really need to be careful.  Thanks for the response and have a great weekend.

Patty and Scott,

Thanks for the response.  We all need to be really careful, we never know what is out there.  Have a great weekend.

Teresa and Lee,

Thanks for the response.  It is so important that we keep things in perspective, our lives are more important than a commission.  Have a great weekend.

Jennifer,

We all need to keep in mind that making the sale is not as important as saving our life!  Have a great weekend.

Staci,

You are a smart girl!  Going alone is not a good thing, there is usually safety in numbers!  Have a great weekend.

Randy,

Being a male does give you some advantage, but still, be careful!   Thanks for the response.

Barbara,

Thanks.  We must remember that the "sale" is not as important as we are!  Have a great weekend.

You are right about being careful. I've had my husband come with me a few times. He even called me from our truck when I was in a house with 2 guys once to check. Of course they mentioned it and I said "you can never be too careful." They were really cool about it.

LaNita,

We can never be too careful!  Those were nice guys that you were showing the home to, they would do the same for their wife.  If it makes someone mad, they are the ones with the problem.  Take care, and thanks for the blog.

Mary..

You are right about being careful and knowing your surroundings.  If I can add one one thing, that I have learned.. it is also how you carry yourself.  When you walk, have power behind you.  Don't walk timid, and *too* femine.. It give the impression you are weak, which is what stalkers look for.  Remember most times you are watched before you are attacked.  Have an attitude.  Times have changed

Great post!  I actually have a permit to carry!

Valerie,

Good comment!  The way you carry yourself sends a message.  I walk fast, my purse is secure and my shoulders back, I walk with an attitude.  Thanks for the response.

Jim,

Thanks for the response, I think men get in dangerous situations too!  You can never be too careful!

Mary, while I think it is very, very important to use common sense, not just while working, but throughout the day, I don't agree that we are in a dangerous profession.  My practice is in a large inner-city, and in 25 years, I've never had a colleague injured, let alone killed, on the job.  If you want a dangerous career, try being a policeman, firefighter, or cab driver.  Or join the armed forces.

Perhaps it's because my business is primarily referrals and repeat clients.  I don't find myself dealing with strangers except at Open Houses.  I can't imagine having a practice where I was afraid of clients.  What a message that sends to people who might consider working with you!

Great reminder! I have never had an issue with someone I actually met to show property too, but I have had a couple "live" ones that I heard something in the voice and after I refused to meet anywhere except my office during business hours they scrammed. You never do know and better safe than dead is my thought.

Patricia,

I didn't say I wanted a dangerous profession and I am not afraid of my  clients.  But I am not stupid, when you meet people you don't know, there could be an element of danger.  We have had many speakers speak to our board about this, many Realtors have been assulted and murdered.  Crime is a fact of life.  I think we have to be careful and that is all that I meant.  You were the only negative response I received. 

you are so right, we all need to be safe

Shannon,

Thanks for the response, we all need to be careful.  Have a great day!